I wanted to do something smart and catchy about outhouses. So, first of all, I googled ‘outhouses’. Under the heading of ‘people also ask’, first question mind you, ‘Where does poop go in an outhouse?’ Obviously someone has not met an outhouse in person.
So, when was the outhouse invented? According to Mr. Google, very popular in cities in the 1800’s. What did civilization do before that? Use your imagination. Where were they located? Answer, as far from the house as possible. Why would they want them away from the house? Really? Why should you not smoke in an outhouse? Ever heard of methane?
The outhouses were called by other names….the crapper, privy , latrine. In the Timmons household, we were a bit more sophisticated….when someone needed to go outside we would say we needed to go see Aunt Bessie.
There’s a couple of things you need in the outhouse, a box with a circular hole and a Sears and Roebuck catalog. If you had a two seater, you were of the privileged. The Timmons’s only had a one seater. The two holer had a smaller cut out for smaller butts.
You may have seen pictures of a small wooden structure with a moon cut in the door. If there was a moon cut in the door at the Timmons’, someone would be peeking through it. Or worse, a family of wasp would sneak in and take up residence. The same was true of other creatures. Let’s just say, check the premise before baring your butt.
Outhouses came in all sizes, shapes, construction material. They all had the same purpose, and the same problems. The purpose was to hold waste and provide a sense of privacy while doing your business.
During the 60’s, the outhouse for Timmons’ Grocery was strategically located a short distance from the back door. Every year on Halloween night it was pushed over exposing the fragrant odor, flies, and the disgusting sight of piled up …. Poop. Dad would then bring the tractor and it was buried and a new hole dug. The next Halloween it was turned over again. It was a community joke. Goblins were turning over outhouses. The thing was, Dad knew who it was. The last year before moving into the new store, Dad turned it over himself. The joke was then on the teenager who Dad had teased for so many years.
There’s a lot to be said about outhouses. They are still used on farms, although they may have more sanitary conditions.
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